Switching device



D. D. MILLER SWITCHING DEVICE May 17, 1927. 1,628,991

Filed May 22. 1924 Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL D. MILLER, OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, IN- CORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORIPGI'LATIGN OF NEW YORK.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

Application filed May 22,

This invention relates to voice frequency relays and particularly to such relays for controlling electrical circuits.

The object oi? this invention is to provide an iniiproved relay of the character disclosed in Patents Nos. 1,607,910 and 1,603,289, granted respectively on November 23, 1926, a d October 19, 1926, to H. W. ONeill, which when associated with a tint and second circuit operates in response to alternating cur rent in the first circuit to control the second circuit.

The principal feature of this invention resides in loosely suspending a coil. in a magnetic field from terminals of a circuit to be controlled whereby said circuit is normally closed but opened intermittently when alternating current i applied to said coil.

Other features will be apparent from the :i'ollowing description and detailed drawing wherein, F ig. 1 shows a side View of a relay according to the invention together with circuits therefor; Fig. 2 illustrates a plan View of the relay shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows partially in section another form of a relay according to the invention wherein one end of the contact member is rigidly fastened; while Fig. 4 illustrates a relay similar to Fig. 1 with the exception that an electromagnet is employed rather than a permanent magn et.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 1.0 indicates a permanent horseshoe magnet to each pole of which is attached by means of screws 12 and 12', insulating blocks 11 and 11 for holding the L shaped hook terminals 13 and 13 of a local circuit including relay 19 and battery I), which terminals in turn support at points 17. 17 the hook ended contact member 14 and to which in turn is rigidly attached, in any suitable manner, a light coil 16 which hangs in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 10. Coil 16 is arranged to be energized by alternating current from the source 18.

hen the coil 16 is deenergized the action of ivity holds the contact member 14 in the position shown and since the contacts 17. 17 are closed the terminals 13, 13' ar electrically continuous. lVhen the coil is ent 'zed the contacts 17, 17 are opened intermittently due to the tendency of the coil 16 to vibrate in the magnetic field, thereby causing the electric continuity of the local circuit containing the device 19 to be broken.

1924. Serial No. 7153302.

Referring to Fig. 3 which illustrates another form of relay according to the invention, 82 indicates a permanent horseshoe magnet partially in section to one pole of which is attached by screws 33, an insulat ing block 34- tor rigidly supporting the hook shaped tern'iinal To the other pole is attached an insulating block 34 for rigidly supporting at one end a flexible reed member 31, the other end 0t wnich being hook shape to interlink with the hook extremity of the terminal The reed member 31 and terminal are normally in contact due to the weight of the coil which is suspended in a magnetic field, as previously described for Fig. 1.

In referring to 4, 40 indicates an electromagnet, the lower end of which is fastened to the frame 43 of the relay. Attached to the upper extremities of the frame 4:3 by means of screws 441 are insulating blocks and 45 which serve as supports for terminals 46 and 46 respectively, which in turn support a contact member 47 from which is suspended a coil 4-8 encircling the upper end portion 49 of the magnetic core.

The operation of the relay shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: hen alternating current from the source 18 is supplied to the coil 16 the contacts and coil vibrate in accordance with the frequency of the applied current, thereby causing the contacts 17, 17 to be broken and thereby opening the local circuit containing relay 19, which circuit When the coil is at rest, is obviously completed from battery B, through the contacts and thence to ground at G. lVhen the current in coil 16 ceases to flow the contacts 17, 17 therefor are closed due to the force of gravity and the local. circuit is once more completed.

It is, of course, obvious that this relay may control any desired circuit.

lVhen alternating current is applied'to the coil 30, Fig. 3, the reed contact member 31 which is attached thereto is caused to vibrate in accordance with the frequency of the applied current in a manner similar to that described for Fig. 1, the local circuit theret'or being broken or made at the contact point 36 in response to the alternating current supplied to the coil.

lVith the exception that an electromagnetic relay is employed in Fig. 4. rather than a permanent magnet as previously described for Fig. 1, the operation is identical and it is thought that a further description is not deemed necessary for a full understanding o1 the invention.

It is obvious that an electromagnet may be used in Fig. 3 and a permanent magnet in F 4.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switching device a magnet, a stationary terminal member, a contact member normally contacting with and supported by said terminal member and a coil in the field of said magnet mounted upon said contact member, said coil operating in response to alternating current flowing therein to effec tirely break the contact between said contact member and said terminal member.

In combination a first and a second circuit, circuit terminals therefor, an element included in said first circuit suspended in a magnetic field from the terminals of said second circuit and normally completing said second circuit, said element responding to alternating current in said first circuit to eltectively open said second circuit.

3. In a switching device, the combination of a magnet, a vibratory device suspended Within the field of said magnet, a plurality of aoertured terminal members, an apertured contact member interlinked and normally connected with said plurality of apertured terminal members, said vibratory device operating in response to alternating current supplied thereto 'to disconnect said apertured contact member from said plurality of apertured terminal members.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day of May, A. D., 1924.

- DANIEL D. MILLER. 

